Franklin County Coroner Marty Leffler has confirmed the deaths of two Christopher residents during an overnight fire that occurred at 210 W. Sylvester St.

The victims were Christopher V. Pyles, 38 and Mary Sue Plumlee, 33, both of 210 W. Sylvester St. in Christopher, he said.

"A 911 call went out at 9:39 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 30 reported by a neighbor that a house was on fire at 210 West Sylvester St. in Christopher," he said. "Christopher Fire Department, Christopher Police and Abbott Ambulance responded to the scene.

"Two known individuals were inside the residence," Leffler said. "A male subject was removed from the living room area and a female resident was found in bed. The male was placed in an Abbott Ambulance unit with no vitals, the female was transported by West Frankfort Fire Department and Ambulance to the Herrin Hospital ER where she was pronounced as deceased upon arrival.

Christopher Fire Chief Charles Lutes said first responders from Coello searched inside the home and first located the man.

"They brought him out and immediately started doing CPR," Lutes said. "They went back in and found the woman and brought her outside."

Autopsies in coordination of the Williamson County and Franklin County coroner's offices are pending. The Illinois State Fire Marshal's office, Christopher Police Department, and Franklin and Willliamson County coroner's offices are investigating the fire.

Lutes said the home is not a total loss. "The house is pretty airtight, which probably saved the house next door," Lutes said. "First responders from Zeigler also assisted, which really helped us a lot. Buckner provided back up for us."

He said the cause of the fire remains under investigation. "A couple of rooms of the house were gutted by the fire," Lutes said. "It appears to be a front room with a divider. The ceiling and attic also sustained damage."

As investigation continues, the fire chief said he does not believe the fire was suspicious in nature.